MXPA00006608A - A fastener installation head having a pivoting fastener drive assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastener installation device (10) has a head which utilizes a pivoting driver (14). The pivot is of the rack and pinion type. The driver (14) can pivot between a receiving position wherein a fastener (22) is loaded into the driver (14) and an installing position wherein the driver (14) installs the fastener (22) into a work surface (27). The head also includes a fastener guide (12) with jaws (36) which align the fastener for delivery into the driver. A feeder (16) is used to feed each fastener to the fastener guide (12). Sensors (72) are used to detect the pivot position of the driver (14) as well as the presence of a fastener (22) in the driver (14).

Description

BRAID INSTALLATION HEAD WHICH HAS A BRAZING PIVOTING ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fastener installation head for installing fasteners in one piece. More particularly, the present invention discloses an installation head having a pivoting actuator and can inset fasteners in any orientation, such as above, below, to the side, or at any angle therebetween. The ability to pivot the installation driver reduces the overall size of the installation head and allows the installation head to be positioned at various angles, for example, inside a stamping press.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The installation heads for installing fasteners, such as for example studs, are known. An example of asparagus fastener installation heads can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 5,172,467. This patent has been assigned to the assignee of the present invention which has several other patents which refer to fastener installation heads for stud type fasteners and female fasteners. All known installation heads must overcome the problem of orienting the fastener inside the head. If the fastener is not properly oriented, the fastener can not be installed properly and in some cases the head can be damaged. The problem is especially acute with fasteners of the type of studs, and it is an even greater problem with fastener heads that attempt to install the fastener in the upward or angled direction. With reference to U.S. Patent No. 5,172,467, a self-installation installation apparatus is described. This particular installation apparatus is adapted in particular, but not exclusively, to the installation of fasteners similar to studs. The stud-like fasteners have a protruding portion, such as a spike, that extends from the body or head portion of the fastener. This type of fastener presents unique installation problems in series production because the elongated fastener must be precisely oriented in the head and aligned with the matxiz button to avoid damaging the installation apparatus. The self-joining stud fasteners are specially adapted for transfer from a hopper or other source of fasteners to the installation head through a flexible tube, for example. The installation head receives the self-joining fasteners, orients the fasteners for installation and moves the fastener against the panel and to a die element to form the fastener and panel assembly. In a typical application, the die button is located in the lower shoe of a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic press, such as that used by the automotive industry to form panels, supports and the like. The installation head can be attached to the upper aligning die shoe, so that a fastener is attached to the panel with each stroke of the press. It will be understood, however, that the stamping press may include several sets of installation apparatus, where several fasteners are installed with each stroke of the press. Installation fasteners shown in FIGS. 15 and 20 of the '467 patent are supplied with fasteners depending on whether the fastener is installed in the lowered position or at most at a downward angle. The installation head receives fasteners from the tube coupling which is coupled to a hopper of stud fasteners. In the head illustrated in Figure 15, the fasteners are blown by pneumatic pressure to the conical hole where they are automatically centered and oriented in the tapered bore. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the tapered bore must be facing down to automatically orient the fastener. If the cone hole looks up, the fastener will come out of the hole or it will not line up properly. In fact, with this installation head, unless the hole is at a generally straight angle to the generally horizontal work surface on which the fastener is to be installed, the fastener will not be properly aligned. The conical recess in the projecting element is composed of at least two spring-biased elements, each element having generally conical concave coupling surfaces which normally support the annular wall portion of the fastener and the plunger is adapted to move the fastener oriented against the conical surface, dispersing the elements pushed by spring and installing the fastener in the panel. In the described embodiment, the base element is attached to the movable plate of a press and the base elements and projections are interconnected by a piston. The piston is adapted to move the protruding element, relative to the base element, to receive the free end of the body portion of the fastener in the plunger bore, and the drive means then press the press to close the space between the elements of base and projections, moving the plunger through the plunger passage to install a fastener on the panel. Another installation head is illustrated, see Figure 20, which includes a housing having a reciprocal elongate plunger in a plunger passage, as described above, and a feed transfer means that transfers fasteners to the plunger passage. The plunger includes a longitudinal hole configured to receive the elongated body portion or spike of the stud-like fastener. The end of the plunger is adapted to abut against the body portion of the fastener for moving the fastener to the panel, as described. The plunger is formed of at least two longitudinally extending coupling parts and intersecting the hole in the end of the plunger, including a first part having a concave portion of the hole facing the transfer means and a second plunger part Mobile adapted to close the hole and block the transfer path. The installation head includes drive means adapted to longitudinally move the second plunger portion, relative to the first plunger portion, thereby opening the concave hole portion of the first plunger portion. The transfer means then transfers a fastener to receive the elongate body portion of the fastener or tang in the hole portion of the first plunger portion, orienting the fastener for installation. The actuating means then closes the second plunger portion around the elongated body portion of the fastener, prepared for installation. Finally, the drive means move the plunger through the plunger passage and install the oriented fastener on the panel. In this embodiment, the transfer mechanism relies on gravity to properly orient the fastener for transfers to the plunger. The transfer mechanism includes a shuttle piston that is driven by a pneumatic piston. The piston moves the shuttle to the left by moving a stud fastener from the position shown in figure 20 to the position shown in figure 23. The shuttle causes the pin of the fastener to pass through the ball retainers (see figure 21) to hook with rod magnets. The stud fastener is dropped from the position 300a shown in figure 20 ', through the hooked hole of the U-groove 480 against the protruding plate 486. Then the printing press is operated, lowering the upper plate, which closes the split plunger assembly as shown in Fig. 24. The upper plunger is thereby pressed into the cylindrical cartridge guide which presses against the upper annular portion of the second lower plunger element, closing the split plunger assembly and closing the axial hole in the end of the lower plunger as shown in figure 24. In the final installation, the upper die plate engages the upper plunger, moving the self-pier wall and riveting to a panel located on the matrix button, as shown in figure 25. The lan-zadera is now completely removed and an asparagus clip is dropped to the shuttle, as shown. This embodiment would not be able to transfer the fastener to the plunger if the installation head is oriented with the plunger pointing upwards. Although the plunger could install a fastener in the upward direction, no method is described for suitably feeding the fastener to the plunger. Another problem with the two previous installation heads is the greater size and complexity of these heads due to the need to properly feed and orient the fasteners. Again, the installation of fasteners of the type of studs requires a fastener oriented exactly with respect to the plunger, the panel in which the fastener is to be installed, and the matrix button. These two l-prior art heads require a rather large and complex feeding system to ensure proper orientation of the fastener with respect to the plunger and the work surface.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The installation head of the present invention includes an actuator that positively receives a fastener and holds said fastener when the installation head advances through the installation path to install the fastener. The actuator is adapted to pivot between a loading position, in which the fastener is loaded in the actuator, and an installation position where the actuator is positioned to install the fastener. In the described embodiment, these two positions are at angles of 90 ° to one another; however, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the installation head of the present invention can be used at any angle and the actuator could move between angles greater than or less than 90 °. The installation head of the present invention includes a mounting base for mounting the installation head on the plate of a press. An actuator for moving a fastener to the part is pivotally mounted to the base X 'assembly for pivoting between a loading position, in which a fastener can be loaded in the actuator, and an installation position, in which the actuator is mounted. placed to install the bra in one piece. A feeder block has been arranged to feed fasteners to the actuator. The feeder block includes a guide for guiding the holder within the feeder block to the loading position. The feeder block includes guide jaws which guide the clip when the clip leaves the feeder block and begins to enter the driver. The jaws are controlled by an eccentric plate that is operatively connected to the jaws. The eccentric plate is mounted for movement between a first position that is spaced from the end of the feeder block and corresponds to the closed jaws, and a second position adjacent to the end of the feeder block corresponding to the fully open jaws. The jaws move in a timed relationship so that they initially open only partially to allow the protruding portion, the pin, to protrude first from the feeder block and begin to enter the actuator and then the jaws are completely elastically opened that the head portion of the fastener can exit without being obstructed by the jaws. The actuator has a recess for receiving the shank portion of the fastener and retaining balls within the actuator to hold the shank portion inside the actuator. Once the installation head detects the existence of the fastener fully inserted in the actuator, the actuator is then rotated to the installation position so that the fastener can be installed by the actuator. In the described embodiment, two pneumatic cylinders are used to control the feeder block and the rotation of the actuator. The actuator is mounted on a pinion which is connected to a rack which in turn is connected to a cylinder. When the cylinder is extended and retracted, the rack moves in a rectilinear movement with respect to the pinion to rotate the pinion and then rotate the actuator between the installation and loading positions. The eccentric of the feeder block is connected to the second cylinder that moves the eccentric in a rectilinear manner which then controls the opening and closing of the jaws. It will be understood that the self-joining fastener of the present invention can be of almost any configuration. For example, the fastener may be a stud, bolt, nut, ball joint, etc. As used herein, "fastener" refers not only to the function of the fastener to attach another structural element to the panel, but also the means of attaching the fastener to the panel. It will also be understood that the self-joining fastener, the joining method and the installation apparatus can be a complete system, where the installation apparatus is specifically adapted to install a self-joining fastener by the method of this invention, preferably in a Continuous operation . Other advantages and meritorious features will be better understood by the following description of the preferred embodiments of the installation apparatus, the appended claims and the drawings, the brief description of which follows hereafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of the installation head of the present invention mounted on a press with the actuator in the loading position and a fastener guided to the actuator. Figure 2 is a side view of the installation head of the present invention mounted on a press with the actuator in the installation position. Figure 3 is a side view of the installation head of the present invention with the actuator and the fastener that is installed in a panel. Figure 4 is a partially cut away side view of the installation head of the present invention. Figure 5 is a view of the installation head as seen from the side of the feeder block of the installation head. Figure 6 is a view of the installation head as it goes from the mounting base side of the installation head. Figure 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 4. Figure 8 is an end view of the installation head showing the driver. Figure 9 is a view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 4. Figure 10 is an exploded view of the installation head of the present invention. Figures HA to 11D are cut away views of the installation head showing the feeder and ratchet block, and in particular the movement of the ratchet when guiding a fastener to the actuator. Figures 12A to 12F are partial views of the jaws of the installation head showing its position during the loading of a fastener in the installation head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The installation head of the present invention is shown generally at 10 in the drawings. The installation head 10 includes a fastener guide assembly 12 and a fastener actuator or nose piece 14. A fastener supply mechanism is schematically illustrated at 16 for supplying fasteners to the fastener guide assembly 12. A connector, such as for example a quick connector, is shown at 17 to connect the fastener supply 16 to the guide assembly 12. The fastener supply mechanisms are known to those of ordinary skill in the art and for this reason have been only illustrated. schematically The general operation of the installation head 10 is illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 1, the fastener supply assembly 16 supplies a fastener, preferably a stud type fastener, to the fastener guide assembly 12. The fastener guide assembly 12 guides the fastener, after having entered the guide assembly 12, to the actuator 14. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the actuator 14 pivots between a fastener receiving position shown in FIG. Figure 1 shows a fastener installation position shown in Figure 2 and a fastener installation position shown in Figure 3 where a fastener is installed in a panel 27. In the preferred embodiment, the fasteners 22 are driven to the assembly Guide 12 by pneumatic pressure. The fasteners 22 pass through a feed pawl 24 and are then pushed by the feed pawl to the actuator 14. Once the clamp 22 is on the actuator 14, the actuator 14 pivots to the installation position shown in Figure 2 Once the actuator 14 has been fully pivoted to the installation position, the press is closed by installing the fastener 22 on a panel 27 or another part. Once installed, the actuator 14 pivots back to the loading position illustrated in Figure 1 to receive another fastener. The fastener feeding assembly 12 will be described with reference primarily to FIGS. 4 and 10. The feeder assembly 12 includes a feeder block 18 having a fastener channel 20 for receiving and guiding the fastener 22. A feed ratchet 24 is positioned in the feeder block 18 and extends to the channel 20. The pawl 24 is mounted on a feed fork 26 which in turn is mounted on a cylinder 28. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder 28 is a pneumatic cylinder, but it could be a hydraulic cylinder, or it could be an electric drive motor, etc. A rod 30 interconnects the fork 26 with a feed coupler 32 which is attached to the cylinder rod 28. The ratchet 24 is pivotally mounted within the feed fork 26 on a pivot pin 33 and is spring-loaded to the position extended by the spring 31. In this way, the pawl 24 can be pivoted when the fastener passes the feed pawl 24 and then jump again to engage the fastener and move it to the donor 14. FIG. 4 illustrates the ratchet feed 24 in the position for hooking the fastener 22. Figures 1 (A) -ll (D) illustrate the feed pawl 24 engaging the fastener 22 and moving it to the driver 14. A track 34 guides the fork 26 inside the head 10. In order to maintain the exact alignment of the fastener 22 when it is guided to the actuator 14, pivoting jaws or fingers 36 are provided at the terminal end of the feeder block 18. The 36 pieces are preferably mounted on the feeder block by means of pivot pins 38. An eccentric plate? Or mechanically synchronize the opening and the cie -'- >; of the jaws 36 when the clamp is guided to the projecting part 14. The eccentric plate 40 is mounted on the track 34 by retaining plates 44 and moves with respect to the track 34. The eccentric plate 40 has guide grooves 41 which receive guide pins 39 which extend from the jaws 36. When the eccentric plate 40 moves with respect to the track, the pins 39 ride inside the slots 41 and pivot the jaws 36 from the closed initial position illustrated in FIG. Figure 5 and 12 (A) to the fully open position illustrated in Figure 12 (E). The movement of the plate 40 causes the jaws 36 to open and close in a timed manner to control the fastener 22. The jaws are initially opened by the fastener 22 which causes them to open, and open closer to the eccentric plate 40 to the actuator 14. The feeding pawl 24, in the described embodiment, has a notch 46 which engages the eccentric plate 40 to move the plate 40. The jaws 36 are returned to the closed position by the coupling of the coupler. of feeding 32 with the tongue 45 in the eccentric plate 40, see Figure 4. When the feeding coupler 32 is retracted, it engages the tongue 45 and pulls the eccentric plate 40 away from the nose piece 14 and makes the slots 41 guide the pins 39 to close the jaws 36. The movement of the jaws 36 is shown in figures • 12A-F. The jaws are initially closed as shown in Figure 12A. The feed coupler 32 is urged against the tongue 45 to positively close the jaws and therefore the feed block 18 to prevent the clip 22 from being ejected from the feed block 18. In this position, the guide pins 39 are at the ends of the slots 41. As can be seen, the guide ranks 41 are deflected outwardly with respect to each other in an inclined path. When the pawl 24 pushes the clamp forward, the jaws 36 open to the position illustrated in Figure 12B. In this position, the fastener 22 is being supplied to the actuator 14. The fastener 22 continues to move, the eccentric plate 40 remaining stationary until the notch 46 engages the eccentric plate 40. In this way, the jaws 36 guide the fastener 22. when the ratchet pushes it to the actuator 14. With reference to FIG. 12C, the ratchet 24 has just contacted the plate 40 and moved it slightly, but has not moved the jaws 36. As can be seen, the path in the plate eccentric 40 is straight allowing the eccentric plate 40 to move with respect to the jaws 36, the jaws 36 remaining fixed. The opening between the jaws is quite wide so that the holder 22 can pass between them and enter the actuator 14. Once the fastener 22 has been supplied to the aciculator 14, the jaws are opened so as not to interfere with the further movement of the fastener 22 when it is fully inserted into the projecting part 14. The movement The bracket 36 for releasing the fastener 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 12D-E. As can be seen, the guide slots 41 are inclined so that the jaws 36 can be opened, and then end in a straight path allowing the jaws 36 to remain open when the clip 22 is pushed completely to the driver 14. In Fig. 12F, the actuator 14 has rotated to the installation position and the eccentric plate 40 has been removed to the closed position by the feed coupler 32 by engaging the tab 45. The jaws 36 are opened uniformly due to double control by the only eccentric plate 40. As will be appreciated, this double control ensures uniform movement of the jaws 36 and prevents the fastener 22 from misaligning during transfer from the feeder block 18 to the actuator 14. Furthermore, the fastener 22 is guided by the jaws 36 until the fastener 22 is received inside the actuator 14 providing a transfer of alignment between the jaws 36 and the actuator 14. The double controlled pads 36 provide simultaneous and continuous alignment and control of the fastener 22. Once the transfer of alignment and control of the fastener has occurred 22, the fingers move apart to give the alignment and fastener control 22 exclusively to the actuator 14. It should be appreciated that if the jaws 36 did not move apart, the fastener could be locked between the jaws 36 and the actuator 14. Once the has produced the transfer between the jaws 36 and the actuator 14, the jaws 36 are no longer involved in the holder 22. The control and alignment has completely passed to the actuator 14.

The figures HA and 11B correspond to Figure 12A, the fastener 22 being received in the fastener supply block 18 and being pushed by the supply panel 24 in the direction of the actuator 14. Figure 11C corresponds to Figure 12E, the fastener 22 being fully loaded with the actuator 14. Figure 11D corresponds to Figure 12F with the actuator 14 in the installation position to move a fastener to the work surface or panel 27.

The actuator 14 includes retaining balls 47 which re-tins the fastener 22 in the actuator 14. The retaining balls 47 are spring-loaded so that they extend into the hole 49 at the end of the actuator. When the fastener 22 is inserted into the actuator 14, the balls move outwardly compressing the springs that push the balls into engagement with the fastener 22 by holding it on the actuator 14. The feeder assembly 12 and the track 34 are mounted on the spacers 57 which in turn are mounted on the plate 60. The cylinder 28 is mounted by lugs 29 on the track 34, and the track 34 is mounted on the spacers 57.

The movement of the actuator 14 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 10. As illustrated, the actuator 14 rotates 90 ° between the installation position shown in solid lines and the loading position shown in broken lines. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the angle of rotation could be any desired angle. The actuator 14 has a pinion 52 mounted between arms 51. The pinion 52 is mounted on a steel bushing 54 which is engaged with smooth friction in a hole 53 in the arms 51. The bearing 54 has keys 62 which engage with keyways 63 in the pinion 52 and the hole 53. The bushing 54 receives a pin 56 which is fixed with the hole 55 in the mounting lug 58. The mounting lug 58 is a part of the base 99 that is mounted on the base plate 60 that It is mounted on the press, as illustrated in Figures 1-4. The bushing 54 rotates on the fixed pin 56 by means of a bronze bearing snapped into the bushing 54. A cover plate 98 is screwed to the base 99. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the actuator 14 is rotated to a recess or channel 90 formed in the base 99. The actuator 14 has a head portion 92 that is received within the recess 90. The rotational path of the actuator 14 allows the head portion to be received in the recess 90 and allows the upper part 94 of the head 92 contacts the lower part 96 of the recess. The pivot axis of the actuator 14, defined by the pin 56, is offset so that the head 92 is received in the recess 90 in this manner. With the head 92 engaging the base, the forces exerted on the actuator are directed through the actuator 14 and not through the pivotal connection. A rack 64 engages the teeth on the pinion 52. The rack is coupled to a coupler 68 via a connecting pin 70. The coupler connects the rack 64 to a cylinder 66. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder 66 is a pneumatic cylinder and is mounted on the spacers 57 by means of a mounting bracket 59. When the cylinder 66 extends and retracts, the rack 64 causes the pinion 52 to rotate and rotate the actuator 14. To ensure proper operation of the installation head 10, the preferred embodiment uses proximity indicators 71 and 72 and a probe rod 74. Proper operation requires that the actuator 14 rotate to the loading position before the fastener 22 is moved to the actuator and that the fastener 22 is properly introduced into the actuator 14 before the actuator is rotated to the installation position. The proximity indicator 72 indicates when the actuator 14 is in the loading position. The indicator 71 indicates that the feed ratchet 24 has fully inserted the fastener into the actuator. The indicator 72 is illustrated in Figure 10. The indicator 72 of '• > He learns the zipper 64 at the end of his career. The zipper 64 has a detection recess 76 which is aligned with the sensor portion 73 of the indicator 72. The indicator can be an indicator of the type of contact that requires contact with the rack 64 or a remote sensor that detects the presence of the zipper 64, for example using a light source. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator 72 requires the presence of the zipper before the cylinder 28 can be energized to push the fastener 22 to the actuator 1. When the indicator 72 detects the full extent of the L5 cylinder 28, the actuator can be rotated back to the installation position which is detected by the proximity indicator 72 (if a fastener is present, by means of the rod 74). The cylinder 28 can be retracted simultaneously with the cylinder 66. When the indicator 72 detects the presence of a fastener in the actuator 14 in the installation position, the press can be closed and the suction installed. j.

In the preferred embodiment, the proximity indicator 71 is placed inside the cylinder and detects the movement of the cylinder piston 28. The indicator 71 indicates the actuator 14 that can return to the installation position. It guarantees that there is no jam of fasteners in the feeder block. The indicator 72 indicates the position of the actuator 14 when the bra is present. The fastener pushes the rod 74 to operate the indicator 72. The indicator 72 indicates the presence of a fastener in the actuator 14 and the correct position of the actuator 14 in the installation position. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various modifications may be made to the installation head of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims. For example, as described above, the actuator can be rotated one stroke of greater or less than 1) 0 °. In addition, the fastener can be held inside the actuator so that it does not use the spring-loaded balls, for example magnets could be used to fix the fastener 22 inside the actuator 14. Other probes and indicators can be used to confirm and verify the position of the various moving parts of the installation head. Other methods of mounting the actuator may be employed and cylinders other than pneumatic cylinders may be used to operate the various elements. In addition, a single cylinder could be used instead of the double cylinder. Having thus described the installation head of the present invention, the invention is now claimed, as follows.

Claims (20)

Claims

1. An installation head for installing a fastener in one piece, said installation head including: a mounting base for mounting said installation head in an installation assembly for installing a fastener in the part; an actuator for moving a fastener to the part, said actuator being pivotably mounted on said mounting base for pivoting between a loading position in which a fastener can be loaded in said actuator and an installation position in which said actuator is positioned to install the fastener on said piece; a fastener guide for guiding fasteners to said ac-donor when said actuator is in said loading position, said fastener guide having guide jaws for guiding said fastener so that it is properly positioned with respect to said actuator to properly orient said fastener with respect to said actuator; whereby fasteners are supplied from a supply of fasteners to said fastener guide and guided to said actuator when said actuator is in said loading position, said actuator being adapted to rotate to said installation position once it has been properly placed a fastener inside said actuator.

2. The installation head of claim 1, wherein said fastener guide includes a ratchet for guiding a fastener by said fastener guide to said actuator.

3. The installation head of claim 2, wherein said fastener guide has opposite ends with said first spaced end of said actuator and said second end adjacent to said actuator and in operative communication with said actuator when said actuator is in said loading position, said jaws are positioned adjacent said second end and an eccentric plate is operatively connected to said jaws, said eccentric plate being mounted for movement between a first spaced position of said second end with said closed jaws and a second position adjacent to said second jaw. end with said jaws fully open.

4. The installation head of claim 3, wherein said eccentric plate includes opposing grooves that diverge outwardly and are inclined to control said movement of said jaws between said closed and open positions.

5. The installation head of claim 4, wherein said slots diverge in the direction of said first end of said second end, said slot having a first position corresponding to said jaws being in said closed position, said first position leading to a second position. corresponding to that said jaws are slightly open to a sufficiently wide position so that said fastener can be partially directed to said actuator and a third position where said jaws are fully open so that said fastener can pass through said jaws without obstruction.

6. The installation head of claim 1, wherein said actuator has a recess for receiving said fastener.

7. The installation head of claim 6, wherein said recess includes pushed balls that are urged into said recess for frictional engagement with said holder when said holder is inserted into said actuator, whereby said holder is held within said actuator.

3. The installation head of claim 5, wherein said eccentric plate is operatively connected to a drive cylinder.

9. The installation head of claim 8, wherein a coupler connects said eccentric plate to said drive cylinder, said coupler having a tongue which is adapted to engage said eccentric plate to move said eccentric plate away from said second end and close said jaws. .

10. The installation head of claim 1, further comprising a rack and pinion for rotating said ac-cycler, said actuator being mounted on said pinion for rotation about an axis, said rack coupling with said pinion and being mounted for rectilinear movement with respect to said pinion for rotating said pinion about said axis.

11. The installation head of claim 1, further including proximity sensors for detecting the relative position of said actuator and said fastener when said actuator rotates between said loading and installation positions.

12. An installation head for installing fasteners to a piece, said installation head including: a fastener feed passage for feeding fasteners to be installed in said piece, an actuator pivotally mounted next to said fastener feed passage adapted to receive fasteners of said fastener fastener feeding passage and rotating to an installation position that is angled to said fastener feeding passage, said actuator is adapted to retain said fastener when said actuator is moved to said workpiece surface to install a fastener on said workpiece; whereby said actuator rotates between said fastener loading position and a fastener installation position to first receive a fastener for installation and then rotate to said installation position to install said fastener on said piece.

13. The installation head of claim 12, wherein said fastener feeding passage has a hole for said passage of fasteners and jaws positioned around said hole to control said position of said fastener when said fastener is discharged from said hole of said step of fastener feeding.

14. The installation head of claim 13, wherein said fastener feed passage includes an eccentric plate interconnected to said jaws to control the position of said jaws.

15. The installation head of claim 14, wherein said eccentric plate includes grooves defining a control path for controlling the movement of said jaws and said jaws include guide pins mounted within said grooves which follow said grooves when the sheet metal is placed, eccentric moves to open and close said jaws.

16. The installation head of claim 15, wherein said slots diverge outward to open and close said jaws when said eccentric plate moves back and forth with respect to said jaws.

17. The installation head of claim 12, wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to pivot about a pivot axis that extends generally laterally to said fastener feed passage.

18. The installation head of claim 17, wherein said actuator is mounted on a pinion that pivots about said pivot axis.

19. The installation head of claim 18, further comprising a rack operatively connected to said pinion, and mounted for rectilinear movement with respect to said pinion for rotating said pinion and actuator attached about said pivot axis between said loading position and said installation position.

20. The installation head of claim 12, further comprising proximity sensors operatively associated with said actuator and said fastener feed passage for detecting said position of said actuator relative to said loading position and said installation position and for detecting said presence of a fastener in said actuator.